La Dolce Veto

From debut author Caitlin Alice Gilbert comes a bold and emotionally resonant romance that flips the script on scandal, and shows the power of self-discovery, redemption, and a summer of love in a small Italian town.

Rising star US Congresswoman Isabella Rhodes was supposed to be making history—not headlines. But when a devastating betrayal shatters her political career overnight, she flees to La Musa, a sleepy village in the heart of Umbria where the days are slow, the pasta is handmade, and no one knows her name.

At Villa Farentino, Izzy hopes to start fresh, far from politics and the relentless eyes of the world. But her plans unravel when she learns she’ll be sharing the villa with Benito Farentino, the brooding, newly elected mayor who is just as determined to save his crumbling hometown as he is unwilling to trust outsiders.

As tensions grow over a controversial hotel development, Izzy is pulled into the fight for La Musa’s future… and further into Benito’s world. And soon, what began as a quiet escape becomes a chance to rebuild, to believe again, and maybe even to fall in love.

Izzy now has a choice. Will she risk her second chance at happiness for the life she left behind, or stay and fight for the one she’s only just begun to imagine?

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A sweet, engaging romance.

Caitlin Gilbert's debut novel is a must-read for romance fans, with its beautiful setting, engaging characters, and captivating storyline. The addition of Kristen Sieh's excellent narration made the audible version a true delight, as she skillfully brought the characters to life with her impressive voice and accent work. Gilbert’s writing is masterful, weaving together multiple romance tropes to create a narrative that's both familiar and fresh. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with the exception of the intentionally flawed antagonists. The vivid descriptions of the small town in Italy and its cuisine added to the novel's charm, making me feel like I was right there with the characters. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to seeing what Gilbert writes next.